CAMARENA HANDLES PADILLA

By Moncayo Blackbull
Photo: Rodney Long/InsideBoxing (Click on picture for larger view)

DENVER, Colorado (August 14, 2005) – Boxing fans across the U.S. had their eyes on the youngster Donald Camarena from Denver Colorado as the question had to be answered, is this guy we read about on the internet a bona fide contender or just a hyped up pretender. Friday Night Fights on ESPN2 provided the footage as Donald Camarena fought and defeated Mexican Olympian Jorge Alberto Padilla by unanimous decision to retain his WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Championship.

Live from the Pepsi Center in front of an estimated 6500 fans.

You could feel the adrenaline in the air with floor seating (approximately 2000), lower bowl seating and upper stands filled with screaming fans enjoying the action packed fights.

In the main event, Padilla (6-2) would not disappoint as he applied relentless pressure throughout the entire fight on the champion, Camarena (16-1). The first round Padilla moved in on Camarena throwing punches in bunches forcing Camarena to fight the round in a defensive posture and relying on an occasional counter attack.

In the second round Camarena would use his jab to keep Padilla at a distance where he could utilize his speed and quick release. Padilla coming out aggressive in the third round again would have Camarena on the ropes and fighting more defensively than offensively. Midway through the fight it was obvious Padilla was going to stick to his game plan of straight forward movement and unleashing a barrage of punches.

By the fifth round one could see Camarena was landing the harder and more effective shots while Padilla throwing many but missing with most punches.

Usually Camarena would have somewhat of an advantage when fighting at home because of the high altitude but altitude would not play a factor in this fight since Padilla lives and trains in Mexico City which is higher in elevation than Denver.

“We knew there was no altitude advantage for us so it was a matter of being in tip top shape that would be our advantage going into the championship rounds.” Said Camarena’s trainer Aurelio Martinez

Being in great shape certainly did not hurt Camarena as he became the devastating puncher connecting power shot after power shot on the aggressive Padilla in the final rounds of competition.

Camarena would win on all scorecards to retain his WBC Continental Americas Super Lightweight Championship.

Padilla won the hearts of many fans as many cheers accompanied his acknowledgement to the crowd.

The co-main event saw Rogelio Castaneda (20-10-3) defeat Hernan Galaviz (12-8-1) in a super lightweight bout. Action was hot and heated until a clash of heads opened an ugly cut over the eye of Galaviz in the sixth round. With Galaviz being unable to continue, the fight went to the scorecards and Castaneda won by unanimous decision.

Other action complimented the main event as Denver’s David Hernandez (3-2-2) went toe-to-toe with James Martinez (1-2-1) of Grand Junction, Colorado. In the first round it seemed Hernandez was going to make an early night of this encounter. Hernandez connected with power shots to the body and head that had Martinez hurt but Martinez would not be denied the opportunity to showcase his talent on ESPN and fought back like a true soldier. After 4 rounds of boxing the contest ends in a majority draw with fighters receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.

Heavyweight David Bostice from San Bernadino, California bettered his record to 34-9-1 as he stopped Patrick Smith in the third round. Smith’s record drops to 4-6-2. Jesus Noriega was stopped in the second round by the much improved Andrew Marquez from Pueblo Colorado. Marvin Cordova kept his undefeated status intact by stopping Wyoming’s Marlon Leslie in the second round.

A big salute to all boxing fans from the Pepsi Center and the Mile High City of Denver, Colorado!